Greco Back With UCLA

Senior guard Michelle Greco was cleared by the UCLA medical staff to resume her college basketball career, school officials said Monday.

Her 2001-02 season ended after five games because of her history of concussions. Greco averaged 23.6 points in those games, in which the Bruins were 3-2. UCLA was 6-18 without her.

“I’m just very excited and can’t wait to play,” said Greco, who has been granted a fifth year of eligibility by the Pacific 10. “It’s been so long since I could actually play with my team. I had anticipated getting cleared during summer. Everyone was playing together and it was tough standing there watching. But it was still worth the wait.”

Greco said she has no restrictions, but plans to be more aware of her style of play. “I do at times drive [to the basket] with my head down, which I’ve done since high school,” she said.

Said Coach Kathy Olivier, “She is not a kid you can limit, but I hope Michelle has learned a different approach to the game from being out for a year. On the sidelines you see the game with different eyes. We know she can score, but I think she understands her teammates better and can make her own game better.”